The LWV of Jo Daviess County celebrated Women's Equality Day at the historic DeSoto House Hotel in downtown Galena. The League was joined by local actress Cathie Elsbree who portrayed Susan B. Anthony. Interviewing her was another local actress, Deb Pausz, as Dr. Sarah Coates Harris, a prominent Galena resident. Ms. Anthony told about her struggle for women's votes and then answered questions from the audience. After Ms. Anthony's interview, League President Bonnie Cox gave a short presentation about the league and its history, and Secretary Kathy Pearson told the group about the way League functions.

Over 30 guests were offered refreshments, including a cake labeled "Biscuits and Ballots". Several of the guests were new to the League, and LWV of Jo Daviess County was happy to welcome two of them as new members. The Galena Gazette covered the event, as pictured above.

This summer, the Membership and Leadership Development (MLD) program is providing training to local and state League leaders from nine states that are entering the program for the first time ever. After a wonderful financial out-pouring of support for the MLD program at the LWVUS Convention in June 2012, Cheryl, Carol, Kelly, and I (the League trainers for the MLD program) have been met with enthusiasm for the program and for the future of the League.

Social Studies teacher Jan Goldberg has been registering voters who turn 18 at Riverside-Brookfield High School in the Chicago (IL) suburbs for 20 years! She explains: “I use about 20 students a year to help and act as deputy registrars.” County officials come to the school to train and deputize the students.